Midlothian Quarry Shark Teeth and More!

[JamieLynn]

Finally got to visit the Midlothian Quarry in North Texas a few weeks ago. I had made arrangements in August with the Quarry to visit in September, not realizing it was two days after I got back from England, but it worked out GREAT because it's almost a 4 hour drive from my house to Midlothian, so I had to be up at 4:30am....but since I was still basically on England time....that was no problem!  Four other members of the HIll Country Fossil Club and I met with Doyle, one of the quarrymen who took us deep into the quarry to our fossil hunting spot. It is so amazing that they open up a working quarry to fossil hunters! Free of charge! And they had water and bananas and popsicles! Who could ask for more?  Oh, plus safety hats, vests and glasses!  We look so very dashing..... Doyle kept appologizing for not having "turned over the fossil beds" for better hunting and promised he would do so the next time we came! He was so very accomodating and helpful and told us lots of stories of other fossil hunters. He did like to tell a good story! 

 

All of us found a variety of sharks teeth (Thanks to Andrew Dunham for being our identifier on the spot) and one lucky lady (Emily) found a full fish (both sides of a split shale piece). It was rather hot, but we had a great time.  I look forward to going back when a bit cooler and we can spend more time! 

 

Cretodus - my final find of the day....had gone over to Emily to see if she was done, looked down and this one was just sitting on the ground waiting for me.....wish it had its tip, but ah well! 

Another Cretodus

Not sure what this one is...any ID suggestions? 

Ptychodus whipplei

Squalicorax  ( i love that you can see the serrated edges)

 

I love the shark teeth but I really was hoping to find a mosasaur tooth or vertebra...but I was happy to find a fish vertebra! My first one! 

 

 And this MAY be a very pyratized ammonite...I think. I hope. 

The HIll Country Fossil Club! 

Our Hunting Grounds...there is a REALLY large pit behind those piles

[facehugger]

Looks like you guys had fun! This is a place I haven't visited yet - looks like I need to email the quarry and book a visit. 

[JamieLynn]

definitely! They require that it be a group of 5 or more, and they have specific dates you can sign up for but they are very nice and accomodating!

 

[Darktooth]

Nice report and finds! Congratulations!

[facehugger]

1 hour ago, JamieLynn said:

definitely! They require that it be a group of 5 or more, and they have specific dates you can sign up for but they are very nice and accomodating!

 

Dang. I am a lone wolf. Oh well...

[JamieLynn]

1 hour ago, facehugger said:

Dang. I am a lone wolf. Oh well...

 Feel free to join my HIll Country Fossil Club group on Facebook and you can join us next time we go! 

[Heteromorph]

8 hours ago, JamieLynn said:

And this MAY be a very pyratized ammonite...I think. I hope. 

Looks like Prionocyclus sp. with severe pyrite disease (oxidation). It’s a goner, but here is one from the Arcadia Park of the quarry that is doing better:

 

 

Also: Texas Cretaceous Ammonite TXI Quarry in Midlothian

[Gizmo]

Very nice, congrats!  

[JamieLynn]

thanks! I figured if it was an ammo, it was pretty well toast, but at least I found one! 

[Ludwigia]

Thanks for sharing. It's good to see that some quarries are still accomodating to collectors. They are unfortunately getting quite rare in Ontario.

[Archie]

Great finds and report!

[DPS Ammonite]

11 hours ago, Heteromorph said:

Looks like Prionocyclus sp. with severe pyrite disease (oxidation). It’s a goner, but here is one from the Arcadia Park of the quarry that is doing better:

 

 

Also: Texas Cretaceous Ammonite TXI Quarry in Midlothian

Your ammonite and my avatar that I collected at the same quarry probably are Prionocyclus  bosquensis: 

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/profile/12000-dps-ammonite/&do=content&type=gallery_image&change_section=1

 

[Heteromorph]

6 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said:

Your ammonite and my avatar that I collected at the same quarry probably are Prionocyclus bosquensis:

Thanks! How is your’s doing after these last few years? Any sign of disease?

[DPS Ammonite]

I do not know. It is packed away somewhere. Plus, I do not think that it is pyritized. The large pyrite crystal clusters from the quarry are stable.